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IWSG – New Year, New Adventures

Posted on January 7, 2015January 7, 2015 by Loni Townsend

InsecureWritersSupportGroupToday is the first Wednesday of the month. That means, it’s time for Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

Edit: I’ve been offline for a while, so I missed the message that we’re all supposed to introduce ourselves this time around. Hi. I’m Loni. I’m a squirrel. Yes, I know I look human, but that’s because I’m a ninja squirrel. Shhh! Don’t tell! I’m also a wife, a mother, a writer, and a Red Bull addict. *twitch* Welcome to my blog.

It turns out the entry of the new year isn’t some magic time warp that makes us smarter, healthier, and all around super human. *sigh* But while I juggle sick kids with answering interview questions, designing the back cover to my upcoming novella, and the usual tasks of housekeeping and my job, I can’t help but marvel at the people who handle it all and still have hair.

This World Bites Front CoverWhat am I insecure about? In less than 2 weeks, I’m releasing This World Bites and kicking off a blog tour. What if I don’t get my guest posts done? What if I’m a boring person to interview? What if all of my truths are dull? What if they hate my book? Gah!

When I start stressing, I focus on the things I’m proud of.

Based on the Breaking it down… blog series by Carrie Butler, I updated my “brand” (it feels weird calling it that) across all of my social media outlets. I’m still not good at interacting with people, but at least I’ve got a uniform look and feel. And I like my squirrel. I just hope Carrie likes it.

Loni Townsend Banner

And then there’s the Seven. Due to an unfortunate hiccup, our first release, The Ancient, got pushed by another month. But the guy organizing everything complimented my story, Smokeless Flame. That made my night.

And then there’s Really Slow Motion: OF MIST AND MAGIC. I was incredibly honored when Samantha Redstreake Geary asked me to participate in the upcoming collaboration. I squealed and danced around the living room. I hope my story, Piper, lives up to the epicness of the soundtrack.

How do you pull yourself out of your insecurities? What are you proud of lately? Have you made resolutions to add a little magic to your year?

39 thoughts on “IWSG – New Year, New Adventures”

  1. Melissa Maygrove says:
    January 7, 2015 at 5:44 AM

    I don’t think you could be boring if you tried. 🙂
    I’m excited about all your projects! Can’t wait for release day(s)! 😀

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      January 7, 2015 at 6:26 AM

      Thanks! 🙂

      You know, I like to believe I could achieve anything if I tried hard enough.

      *monotone voice* Hello everyone. I’m Loni. (My attempt at being boring…)

      Reply
  2. Christine Rains says:
    January 7, 2015 at 6:17 AM

    Squirrels are never boring! I just finished reading the book yesterday and it’s awesome. Good luck with everything! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      January 7, 2015 at 6:22 AM

      *Happy Dance* Yay!! You just made my day, Christine. 🙂

      Reply
  3. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:04 AM

    I’m a twitchy little squirrel, too.

    I’ve found if I stay productive, I don’t have time to think about being insecure.

    Reply
  4. Crystal Collier says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    =) Okay, first of all, you’re totally going to rock this book release. Totally. Secondly, there will always be haters, but there will also be readers who love EVERY word you put out. They’re who you are writing for. I find the only thing that kills the insecurity is a positive inner dialog. Compliment yourself. Be generous. Always focus on the good and you’ll never see failure in anything you do.

    Reply
  5. Sarah Foster says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    Ha, I loved your intro! Who doesn’t like squirrels? It’s great to focus on your accomplishments when you’re feeling insecure.

    Reply
  6. Rachel Schieffelbein says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    Congratulations on the upcoming release! I’m sure all will go well with the blog tour! 🙂

    Reply
  7. L.G. Smith says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    It’s so easy to get caught up in all the insecurities we feel, but good for you for knowing how to focus on the positive. And I love that cover! Best of luck with your blog tour. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jennifer L. Hawes says:
    January 7, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    Congrats on your new release! It’s a wonderful feeling pulling it all together, but such a tight squeeze with kids and life. I’m going to check out my “brand.” I’ve heard of it and maybe I’m already doing it?!

    Reply
  9. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    January 7, 2015 at 8:35 AM

    You’ll get it all done! And isn’t Carrie’s series helpful?

    Reply
  10. Arlee Bird says:
    January 7, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    Best wishes on the upcoming book adventures. I don’t really pull myself out of my insecurities, but I tend to be oblivious to just about everything to the point that I don’t realize that I’m insecure. Yes, I’m delusional.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  11. Lori L MacLaughlin says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:09 AM

    I’m doing the same thing with the insecurities, and I don’t know how everybody gets all that done, either. I keep saying positive things to myself, ignore the fact that people are looking at me like I’m weird, and press onward. Good luck with all your projects in 2015! I just started reading This World Bites — enjoying it so far. Now I’m off to check out Carrie Butler’s Breaking it down. Thanks for the link!

    Reply
  12. Cathrina Constantine says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    Yahoo on your new release!!! Happy New Year and much success in 2015!!!!

    Reply
  13. Sarah Brentyn says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:26 AM

    So excited for your release of This World Bites. You’ve got so much going on. Congrats! Also, LOVE your new look. Well, yours and your social media stuff. 🙂 I saw your new banner/header on Twitter–the squirrel is made of awesome.

    Reply
  14. N. R. Williams says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    Nice to meet you.
    You’ve got a lot of projects going on. All the best with them. The way out of insecurity is to stay focused and busy.
    Nancy

    Reply
  15. Southpaw HR Sinclair says:
    January 7, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    I love the logo you’ve created and your new bio picture. 😉 I think it will be a smashing success. I’m still learning how to brush of those nagging insecurities myself.

    Reply
  16. Chrys Fey says:
    January 7, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    It’s a good thing I like squirrels. 😉

    And you have NOTHING to be insecure about when it comes to This World Bites. Your story is phenomenal!

    Reply
  17. Mary Pax says:
    January 7, 2015 at 11:21 AM

    I think I wrote you unboring interview questions. Woo hoo on the new book. I missed that we were supposed to have an IWSG theme too. I’m always rogue…

    I’m in the Mist and Magic collaboration too. I have a few stories out on sub and have my fingers crossed.

    Happy New Year, Loni!

    Reply
  18. C.G.Coppola says:
    January 7, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    Yeah, Loni, you’re totally going to rock this year. All your projects and branding… you’re on it girl. I mean lady. I mean squirrel.

    Reply
  19. Julie Flanders says:
    January 7, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    Congratulations on all of your upcoming projects! You are a busy squirrel. And your blog tour is going to totally rock.

    Reply
  20. ChemistKen says:
    January 7, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    Book release and blog tour all at the beginning of the year. That’s plenty to be insecure about. Sounds like you’re keeping yourself fairly busy. Good luck and Happy New Year!

    Reply
  21. Gina Drayer says:
    January 7, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    I’m so exited for you! Good luck with your blog tour. I think you’re doing a great job in branding! 2015 is going to be great!

    Reply
  22. Michael Di Gesu says:
    January 7, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    Hi, Loni,

    YAY, YOU! Sounds like so much going on and all soooooo good! All the best in 2015! I know you’ll rock everything. Squirrels are notorious for getting the job done. I watch them here in Chicago and they are still at it, preparing for the winter.

    HAY, it’s FIVE degrees outside. Don’t you think you have enough nuts hidden? LOL…

    Reply
  23. Emma Adams says:
    January 7, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    Congrats on the upcoming releases! I have the same insecurities every time I publish a book, but I try to keep busy with other things – not easy, I know!

    Reply
  24. Beth says:
    January 7, 2015 at 6:00 PM

    oh Loni, you are awesome! you will kill it with the blog tour! I can’t wait to have you stop by my little corner of the web 🙂

    Reply
  25. Elizabeth Seckman says:
    January 7, 2015 at 6:44 PM

    Oh my goodess, there is so much to do to make writing work, some days I’d like to curl into a ball and whine over wine. I love your brand!! It’s awesome. I think Carrie would approve.

    Hope the kiddos are feeling better. Add a cape to that squirrel!

    PS LOVE the cover!

    Reply
  26. Juneta says:
    January 7, 2015 at 7:13 PM

    Congratulations, and I hope all your NUTs fall in line for you without too much stress. Wishing you a wonderful, prolific and prosperous year.
    Juneta at Writer’s Gambit

    Reply
  27. Roland Clarke says:
    January 8, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    Go Loni. Insecure writers must stick together so we can rock together.

    Reply
  28. Lisa Buie-Collard says:
    January 8, 2015 at 8:59 AM

    I love your post! You are a busy woman. I have to use different things at different time for different reasons when I need to pick myself up off the floor. Working/writing usually helps. Focusing on one thing at a time as well. But LISTS are the best way I have of bringing myself out of a funk. I make a list of everything I need to do and follow it, marking off the things I accomplish as I get them done. That always, and I mean always, makes me feel better! Thanks for commenting on my blog. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  29. Michelle Wallace says:
    January 8, 2015 at 9:13 AM

    Okay, let me see, what do I know about squirrels…
    They are curious, intelligent and resourceful = AWESOME!
    Congrats on the new release!
    And we’re collaborators for the Of Mist And Magic anthology! Yay!
    You are rocking!

    Reply
  30. Caryn Caldwell says:
    January 8, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    Best of luck with your new release! THIS WORLD BITES looks like so much fun. I love the title, too.

    May 2015 be your best year yet!

    P.S. Nice to meet a ninja squirrel. Life goal: accomplished. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Jeri says:
    January 8, 2015 at 8:28 PM

    At the moment, I’ve been getting myself through insecurities by asking what I want more… and that’s to go with blogging and editing since the novel-writing isn’t for me at this point in time.

    Reply
  32. Jeff Chapman says:
    January 8, 2015 at 9:39 PM

    Best of luck with your book launch. I like your squirrel too. One of my WIPs has a talking squirrel.

    Reply
  33. Carol Kilgore says:
    January 10, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    I love your new look! You’ll do great!

    Reply
  34. Doreen McGettigan says:
    January 10, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    Congratulations and Happy New Year! You have a lot of good things going on, you busy squirrel.

    Reply
  35. M.J. Fifield says:
    January 12, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    You’ve got so much going on. That’s great!

    I know you already have your blog tour organized for this release, but you’re always welcome to make at stop at My Pet Blog. For this release, or any other.

    Happy Writing and Publishing!

    Reply
  36. cleemckenzie says:
    January 12, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Good luck on that release. Don’t bite your nails. All will be fine.

    Reply
  37. Tammy Theriault says:
    January 13, 2015 at 12:31 AM

    you will be awesome and amazing and absolutely astounding and all other kudos starting w A!!!

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

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